# They Bought an $800K Tokyo Condo With THIS View Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vtWX_jhOUg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/0vtWX_jhOUg Generated: 2025-11-23T12:34:10.218+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The American buyers from San Francisco purchased a fully renovated, two-bedroom condo in Kichijoji, Tokyo, for \u00a5122 million (approximately $815,000 USD at the time) because the area offers a desirable blend of urban convenience and nature, including a fantastic view of Inokashira Park, which was the primary selling point. **Key Points:** - The buyers purchased a fully renovated 2LDK condo for \u00a5122 million (approx. $815,000 USD at the time of purchase). - The property is located in Musashino City, Tokyo, which is outside the 23 central wards but highly desirable, ranking #1 in the 2024 Tokyo liveability ranking. - The condo is only a 7-minute walk from Kichijoji Station, a major train station with access to Shinjuku (15 min) and Tokyo Station (30 min). - The condominium building itself was originally built in 1970 but has been fully renovated twice (2004 and 2017). - The unit features a modern, open-plan living/dining/kitchen area, ample storage, and a unit bath with a built-in dryer, which the buyers appreciated. - The main draw for the buyers was the fantastic, expansive view of Inokashira Park from the 11th floor, which they felt was superior to comparable properties in San Francisco. - The buyers relied heavily on AkiyaHub for remote assistance throughout the transaction, noting the process was simple despite the language barrier. ![Screenshot at 00:06: The host stands outside Kichijoji Station, which is identified as the area's major transit hub, emphasizing the property's excellent location near public transport.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vtWX_jhOUg/00-00-06.png) **Context:** The video features an interview with Armando and Cindy, a couple from San Francisco, who recently purchased a vacation home in Japan. The host, Shu Matsuo (Co-Founder of AkiyaHub), tours the newly purchased, fully renovated condominium unit in Kichijoji, Musashino City, Tokyo. The interview focuses on why they chose this specific area, the price they paid, and what features of the property and location ultimately convinced them to buy, especially given the difference in real estate markets between Tokyo and the Bay Area. ## Detailed Analysis The video documents the purchase of a renovated condo in Kichijoji, Tokyo, by an American couple, Armando and Cindy, for $800,000 USD (\u00a5122 million). Kichijoji is highlighted as the most desirable area in Greater Tokyo for six consecutive years, despite being outside the central 23 wards. The property itself is in a 12-story building constructed in 1970, but the unit received two full renovations (2004 and 2017), making it feel brand new. A key feature is its proximity: only a 7-minute walk to Kichijoji Station, providing quick train access to Shinjuku (15 min) and Tokyo Station (30 min). The buyers were drawn to the area's blend of urban amenities (shops, restaurants nearby) and nature, specifically the view of Inokashira Park. The unit features an open-plan living/dining area, ample storage, a modern kitchen island, and a Japanese-style unit bath with a dryer. The buyers initially considered renovating an older Akiya but opted for this ready-to-go condo due to concerns about navigating renovations and steep stairs while getting older. They highly praised AkiyaHub's remote assistance, which made the entire process simple, even overcoming initial skepticism from their US bank regarding the legitimacy of buying property remotely in Japan. The buyers are excited to use the property for frequent visits, especially to enjoy the park views year-round and immerse themselves in the Tokyo lifestyle, which they find superior to the Bay Area real estate market for the price point. ### Property Overview & Purchase - The buyers purchased a fully renovated 2LDK condo for \u00a5122 million (approx. $815,000 USD), which is below the average price of \u00a5150 million for new condos in Tokyo's 23 wards. ### Location & Accessibility - The property is in Musashino City, Kichijoji, 7 minutes walking distance from Kichijoji Station (major train station), offering 15-minute access to Shinjuku and 30 minutes to Tokyo Station. ### Building & Unit Features - The building dates to 1970 but the interior was fully renovated in 2004 and 2017; features include a modern open kitchen, ample storage, and a Japanese unit bath with a dryer. ### The Deciding Factor (The View) - The primary motivation was the fantastic, expansive view overlooking Inokashira Park, a feature the buyer stated was superior to what $800,000 could buy in San Francisco. ### Kichijoji's Appeal - Kichijoji is ranked the most desirable area in Greater Tokyo for six years running due to its balance of urban convenience (shops, restaurants) and access to nature (Inokashira Park). ### The Buying Process - The couple, being from California, completed the purchase remotely, trusting AkiyaHub's team to handle the necessary paperwork and process, which they found simple and legit. ### Future Plans & Conclusion - The buyers plan to use the condo for frequent visits, intending to learn Japanese and eventually retire there, enjoying the park views and urban access. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Host introduces the video by asking what $800,000 buys in Tokyo, standing on a busy street in Musashino City.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vtWX_jhOUg/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:08: On-screen graphic shows Kichijoji ranked #1 in the 2024 Tokyo liveability ranking, above Yokohama \(#2\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vtWX_jhOUg/00-00-08.png) ![Screenshot at 01:35: Scenic shot of Inokashira Park during cherry blossom season, highlighting the appeal of the natural surroundings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vtWX_jhOUg/00-01-35.png) ![Screenshot at 04:01: Exterior shot of the 12-story condominium complex, originally built in 1970, where the unit is located on the 11th floor.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vtWX_jhOUg/00-04-01.png) ![Screenshot at 05:27: Interior shot showing the living/dining area with large windows overlooking the park, emphasizing the view that sold the buyers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vtWX_jhOUg/00-05-27.png)